Record #00459Nature archive
Smallest Living Mammal by Body Mass
The Etruscan shrew (Suncus etruscus) is recognized as the smallest living mammal by body mass. Published research reports that most adults weigh 1.8–3 g and measure 35–48 mm from head to body.
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Current Record
about1.8g
Current record value
- Holder
- Etruscan shrew
- Location
- —
- Start date
- —
- Record status
- VerifiedView verification details ↗Report an issue
Overview
Archive NoteThe species is distributed across southern Europe, northern Africa and parts of Asia. Its small size makes field capture challenging, and a body-mass comparison differs from measuring the shortest mammal by body length.
A parasitological study examined 166 shrews and directly weighed 31 suitable specimens, reporting a 1.3–2.7 g range. Those specific measurements should not be confused with the article's broader 1.8–3 g description of most adults.
Record history
1 Milestones- about 1.8 gEtruscan shrewCurrent Record
Sources
Evidence & ReferencesVerification basis and limitations
VerifiedThe record conclusion has sufficient verification support.
Basis: direct confirmation by an authority
A peer-reviewed study explicitly identifies this species as the smallest living mammal by mass and reports most adults at 1.8–3 g. The 1.8 g entry is the cited lower end, not a measured minimum or a species mean.
- Verification assessment
- 2026-11-09
- Last editorial review
- 2026-11-09
Current Entry identifies the current entry in this archive; it does not establish that the record is still held today.
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